Dust guard and seal for railroad car journal boxes



1961 L. L. JOHNSON 2,995,389

DUST GUARD AND SEAL FOR RAILROAD CAR JOURNAL BOXES Filed Sept. 15, 19592 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR. LORAN L. JOHNSON ATTORNEY Aug. 8, 1961JOHNSON DUST GUARD AND SEAL FOR RAILROAD CAR JOURNAL BOXES 2Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Sept. 15, 1959 INVENTOR. LORAN L. JOHNSON flFQZa/IJ/L.

ATTORNEY United States Patent ice -2,995,389 DUST GUARD AND SEAL FORRAILROAD CAR JOURNAL BOXES Loran L. Johnson, 548 S. Wheeling, Tulsa 4,Okla. Filed Sept. 15, 1959, Ser. No. 840,139 7 Claims. (Cl. 286-) Thisinvention relates to a combined dust guard and seal for journal boxes ofrailroad cars.

Numerous dust guards and seals for journal boxes are known in the priorart, and such devices range from the well known simple wooden dust guardto rather complex designs formed entirely of rubber-like material, orrubberlike material with metal components. All such prior art devicesare designed to be received within the well known dust guard slot of theconventional railroad car journal box. These prior art devices are allobjectionable from certain standpoints. For example, they are alldifficult to insert and properly align within the dust guard slot of thejournal box, and the unskilled workman frequently assembles the dustguard and seal improperly or backwards within the slot. Additionally, apoor seal with the side walls of the dust guard slot frequently results,because such side walls are rough cast or unmachined surfaces.Additionally, the prior art devices received by the dust guard slotafford no protection to the exposed axle portion adjacent the inner endof the journal box, and this axle portion which should be bright andclean is frequently damaged by flying ballast from the track bed andalso rusts readily, due to exposure to the weather.

A primary object of the invention is to overcome the above and otherdifficulties inherent in the use of dust guards and seals which are usedinside of the dust guard cavity or slot of the conventional journal box.

A further object of the invention is to provide a combined dust guardand seal which is applied to the exterior of the inner end portion ofthe journal box, completely covering and sealing the dust guard slot,sealing the enlarged axle portion adjacent the inner end of the journal,and also protecting this axle portion from the weather, flying rockballast and other foreign matter.

A further object of the invention is to provide a device of theabove-mentioned character, which is highly simplified and unitary inconstruction, and preferably formed entirely of rubber-like material,free from metal inserts and the like.

Another object is to provide a dust guard and seal of theabove-mentioned character which is secured externally to the journalbox, and therefore readily accessible for servicing or replacement,without working inside of the journal box.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a device of theabove-mentioned character which eliminates entirely the need for theusual sealing plug for the mouth of the dust guard slot.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparentduring the course of the following detailed description.

In the accompanying drawings forming a part of this application and inwhich like numerals are employed to designate like parts throughout thesame.

FIGURE 1 is a fragmentary central vertical longitudinal section, partsin elevation, through a railroad car journal box and axle and showing mycombined dust guard and seal applied thereto.

FIGURE 2 is a transverse vertical section taken on line 2-2 of FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 3 is a fragmentary sectional view similar to FIGURE 1, butshowing the axle seal in a relaxed position prior to receiving the axle.

2,995,389 Patented Aug. 8, 1961 FIGURE 4 is a transverse verticalsection taken on line 4-4 of FIGURE 3.

FIGURE 5 is a perspective view of the combined dust guard and seal apartfrom the other components shown in FIGURE 1.

In the drawings, wherein for the purpose of illustration is shown apreferred embodiment of the invention, the numeral 10 designatesgenerally a conventional railroad car journal box, containing the usualbrass bearing 11 and bearing wedge 12. The journal box has a largecentral opening 13 at its inner end to receive the standard journal 14of the car axle, which axle includes a somewhat enlarged axle portion15, adjacent the journal 14, and also projecting into the journal boxopening 13, as shown. The hub 16 of railroad car Wheel 17 is rigidlysecured to the axle portion 15 in a conventional manner, and the hub 16is spaced somewhat from the inner end of the journal box 10, leaving asubstantial area of the axle portion 15 normally exposed between thewheel hub and journal box. The journal box 10 includes the usualupwardly open dust guard cavity or slot 18, as shown in FIGURES l and 3.All of the elements thus far described are conventional and well knownand a further description of these conventional parts is believed to beunnecessary herein.

The dust guard and seal of the present invention, hereinafter called thedust guard, is of one piece or unitary construction, and preferablyformed of molded synthetic rubber or rubber-like material such asneoprene. The material employed for making the dust guard may be varied,however, as found desirable.

The dust guard '19 comprises a forward or outer open sleeve portion 20which fits snugly over and around the inner end portion of the journalbox 10, as shown. The dust guard 19 including outer sleeve portion 20has a flat top wall 21 and vertical side walls 22 and a lower circularlycurved wall 23, all integrally formed, and shaped to the configurationof the inner end of journal box 10. The top wall of sleeve portion 20spans and completely covers the open top of the dust guard slot 18.

Adjacent the inner end of journal box 10, the dust guard 19 furtherincludes a vertical web 23, integrally joined to the exterior walls ofthe dust guard and extending inwardly thereof, at right angles thereto.The web 23 has a central opening 24 to snugly receive the axle portion15, and a beveled sealing lip 25 is provided to form an effective fluidtight seal with the smooth cylindrical axle portion 15. Slightlyoutwardly of the annular sealing lip 25, the web 23 is preferablyprovided upon its outer side with an annular thickened portion or head26, to increase the tension or gripping action of the sealing lip 25with the axle portion 15.

Inwardly or rearwardly of the web 23, the dust guard further comprisesan integral open sleeve extension 27, of the same configuration as thesleeve extension 20, and likewise formed by the walls 21, 22 and 23'.The inner sleeve extension 27 is provided at its free end with anexternal integral head 28 serving to stiffen the sleeve extension 27 andto prevent rain water or the like from draining onto the axle portion15. As shown in the drawings, the inner sleeve extension 27 receives theaxle portion 15 and a part of the hub 16, inwardly of the journal box10. The sleeve portion 27 is spaced from these elements.

The dust guard 19 is firmly yet detachably secured to the exterior ofthe journal box 10 by a steel band or strap 29, including conventionalend connecting means 30. The steel strap 29 may be of the type commonlyemployed for binding heavy wooden crates and the like. Conventionaltools forming no part of the present invention are readily available forapplying and tightening the steel band 29 around the dust guard. Theouter sleeve portion 20 is provided upon its inner face and adjacent thestrap 29 with a continuous bead 31, which is compressed tightly againstthe surfaces of the journal box to form an effective seal therewith,when the steel band is tightened. At its outer end, the sleeve portion20 has an integral stiffening flange 32 which also serves as a guide forapplying the binding strap 29. The sleeve portions 20 and 27 of the dustguard are entirely open axially, except for the internal wall 23 whichcarries the sealing lip 25.

With reference to FIGURE 3, the sealing lip 25 is shown in the relaxedor untensioned condition, prior to receiving the axle portion inassembly. The opening 24 is initially somewhat smaller in diameter thanthe axle portion 15, but the opening 24 stretches when the axle portion15 is introduced therethrough, as in FIGURE 1, so that the sealing lip25 will be tensioned and drawn into fluid tight sealing engagement withthe axle portion 15.

In FIGURE 1, the axle portion 15 is shown separated from the journal box10 a maximum amount, as caused by the normal relative movement betweenthe car axle and journal box. During normal operation, the axle portion15 may be shifted the substantial additional amount into the journalbox, but never further therefrom or beyond the position indicated inFIGURE 1. When and if the axle portion 15 is thrust further into thejournal box 10, the sealing lip 25 will still continue to seal againstthe axle portion 15 in any adjusted position of the latter relative tothe journal box, as should be obvious.

The sleeve portions and 27 are fixed by the steel band 29 relative tothe journal box 10. The sleeve portion 27 effectively shields theexposed area of the axle portion 15, inwardly of the journal box fromflying rock ballast, mud, dust and other foreign substances thrown upwhile the railroad car travels at high speed. The sleeve portion 27 alsoshields or protects the axle portion 15 from the elements at all times,and water which accumulates upon the outer surfaces of the sleeveportion 27 is blocked from draining onto the axle portion 15 by theexternal bead 28 which forms a small darn for such water. Thearrangement greatly reduces rusting or weathering of the axle portion 15and prevents the same from becoming pitted or scratched by the action offlying rock ballast and the like. The periphery of the axle portion 15is therefore maintained relatively smooth and shiny, so that the lip ofthe dust guard may effectively seal the same in all relative positionsof the axle portion 15 and journal box It The web 23 also completelyseals the inner end opening 13 of the journal box against the entranceof dust and other foreign matter, and the sealing lip 25 is highlyeffective for maintaining needed lubricants inside of the journal box10. The top wall 21 of forward sleeve portion 20 effectively closes andseals the open top of the dust guard slot 18, which is not used when mydust guard 19 is employed.

It should be emphasized here that the use of my dust guard requires noaltering or change in design of the conventional journal box 10 or caraxle, and the improved dust guard and seal may be readily applied withthe absolute minimum of time and labor to all existing conventionalequipment.

If preferred, the inner sleeve portion 27 may be formed separately fromthe remainder of the dust guard 19 and secured thereto in any preferredmanner. The sleeve portion 27 may also be omitted entirely if preferred.

The entire device 19 is somewhat flexible or resilient, yet stiff enoughto retain its normal shape after application to the journal box 10 inthe described manner. The device is entirely free of metal inserts orrigid parts, and the steel band 29 forms the sole means of securelyanchoring the dust guard to the journal box. The device is very easy toapply to or remove from the journal box 10 by unskilled hands, and it isvirtually impossible for the 4 unskilled workman to install the deviceincorrectly upon the journal box, due to the arrangement of elementsshown and described.

It is to be understood that the form of the invention herewith shown anddescribed is to be taken as a preferred example of the same, and thatvarious changes in the shape, size and arrangement of parts may beresorted to, without departing from the spirit of the invention or thescope of the subjoined claims.

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

1. A combined dust guard slot cover, axle seal and axle protector forrailroad car journal boxes comprising a unitary open ended rubber-likesleeve snugly surrounding the inner end portion of said journal box andhaving a top wall entirely covering the open top of the dust guard slotof the journal box, said sleeve extending axially inwardly of saidjournal box a substantial distance and spaced from and surrounding thecar axle inwardly of the journal box to shield the same from theelements, flying rock ballast and the like, an internal radiallyextending resilient wall integral with said sleeve near the longitudinalcenter of the latter and adjacent the inner end of the journal box andsubstantially abutting such inner end and having a central openingsnugly receiving the car axle near the inner end of the journal box andhaving sealing engagement therewith, the journal box having a centralinner end opening receiving said car axle, said radially extending wallcompletely covering said inner end opening of the journal box, and anexternal clamping device surrounding said sleeve and the inner endportion of the journal box for clamping the sleeve snugly around thesame.

2. The invention as defined by claim 1, and wherein said sleeve includessubstantially vertical parallel side walls, a substantiallysemi-circular bottom wall and a substantially flat horizontal top wall,whereby the sleeve conforms to the cross sectional shape of the innerend portion of the journal box.

3. A journal box dust guard and seal formed entirely of rubber-likematerial and being unitary and comprising an outwardly opening sleeveportion to receive the inner end of a railroad car journal box andhaving a substantially flat top wall to cover the open top of the dustguard slot in the journal box, an internal wall arranged adjacent to andexteriorly of the inner end of the journal box and having an opening tosnugly receive the railroad car axle portion which is adjacent the innerend of the journal box and forming a fluid tight seal therewith, aninwardly opening sleeve portion integrally joined to the first-namedsleeve portion and extending inwardly of said journal box and spacedfrom and surrounding said axle portion inwardly of the journal box toprotect the same, and a clamping band snugly surrounding the outwardlyopening sleeve portion and journal box to secure the outwardly openingsleeve portion thereto.

4. In combination, a railroad car journal box having a vertical dustguard slot open at its top, said journal box having an inner endopening, an axle portion projecting into said opening of the journalbox, a sleeve surrounding the inner end portion of the journal box andcovering the open top of the dust guard slot, a transverse wall securedto said sleeve and projecting inwardly thereof adjacent to the inner endof the journal box and having an opening snugly receiving said axleportion and having fluid sealing engagement therewith, said transversewall serving to cover said opening of the journal box between theperiphery of the axle portion and the bore of said opening, and anexternal clamping band for securing said sleeve upon the journal boxsnugly.

5. In a railroad car axle assembly, a journal box having an inner endopening and a dust guard slot extending at right angles to said openingand being open at its top, an axle extension smaller than said openingarranged adjacent to said opening of the journal box, a rubberlikesleeve surrounding the inner end portion of the journal box and coveringthe open top of said dust guard slot and having a portion projectinginwardly of and beyond said journal box and spaced from said axleportion and surrounding the same to protect it from the elements andfrom flying debris, a transverse resilient wall formed integral withsaid sleeve and extending inwardly thereof radially near and exteriorlyof the inner end of the journal box and having a central opening forminga flexible annular sealing lip for fluid tight engagement with the axleportion, and a metal strap surrounding said sleeve adjacent the innerend portion of the journal box and serving to bind the sleeve tightly tothe exterior of the journal box.

6. A dust guard and seal for a railroad car journal box, said dust guardand seal being unitary and formed of rubber-like material and comprisingan open ended sleeve adapted to be applied over the inner end of thejournal box for covering the dust guard slot of the journal box, saidsleeve extending inwardly of the inner end of the journal box andforming a shield surrounding the car axle to protect the axle from theelements and from flying debris, an internal transverse wall formed uponsaid sleeve near its longitudinal center and adapted to be arranged nearthe inner end of the journal box and serving to cover the inner endopening of the journal box and having an opening to receive the portionof the railroad car axle adjacent to the inner end of the journal box toform a fluid tight seal thereagainst, and external band means to securesaid sleeve to the inner end portion of the journal box.

7. A dust guard and seal for a railroad car journal box according toclaim 6, and an external marginal bead carried by the innermost end ofsaid sleeve to prevent the same from sheddingwater onto said axleportion.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS2,003,120 Penniman May 28, 1935 2,308,073 Hagerty Jan. 12, 19432,750,213 Sale June 12, 1956

